Geoff Shaw Apologises To The Victorian Parliament; Expulsion Averted

Geoff Shaw, the Liberal-turned-independent member for Frankston in the Victorian Parliament has made a public apology in the Legislative Assembly today.

Shaw returned to Parliament following his suspension last June. He also repaid several thousand dollars in car expenses that were the source of allegations he had rorted his entitlements. The suspension motion also demanded that he apologise to the Parliament.

There was no attempt to expel Shaw, following his apology. With only three sitting weeks before the November 29 election, Shaw appears to likely to serve out a full term.

Shaw was elected as the Liberal member for Frankston in 2010. He resigned from the parliamentary Liberal Party in March 2013, precipitating the resignation of Premier Ted Baillieu. He subsequently resigned from the Liberal Party, heading off a move to expel him. Earlier this year, Shaw precipitated the resignation of Speaker Ken Smith.

Listen to Shaw’s apology (5m)

Watch Channel 7 report (2m)

September 3, 2014 UPDATE:

The Victorian Premier, Denis Napthine, has given notice of a motion to expel Geoff Shaw. It follows remarks by Shaw that the process that led to his apology was “a political farce”.

The motion reads:

I desire to give notice that on the next day of sitting I will move that this House:

1) Notes that the Member for Frankston has demonstrated by his subsequent behaviour that the apology he delivered … was inappropriate.

2) Resolves that as a result of his behaviour the Member for Frankston is in contempt of the Legislative Assembly.